BLOOMFIELD and MARTINSVILLE, Ind. (Sept. 1, 2021)  – The Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC (UDWI) and South Central Indiana REMC (SCI) announced a new, limited partnership that will bring high-speed fiber to certain unserved portions of UDWI’s membership in the most efficient and cost-effective manner. 

Starting in 2021, the two companies will work to bring gigabit broadband internet service to around 200 unserved homes and businesses in the north-central portions of UDWI’s territory.  This partnership is expected to expand to additional unserved homes and businesses in the future.

SCI REMC will leverage existing middle-mile fiber assets and partner with UDWI to attach to their existing pole plant, allowing SCI to provide internet service in the most economical and expedient manner possible. 

“It’s a special thing to be able to work together with other local organizations to achieve the same end goal,” said James Tanneberger, president and CEO of SCI REMC. “The partnership will allow SCI to bring fiber to areas that we normally wouldn’t be able to reach, and we look forward to working with UDWI on this project.”

In 2020, Indiana announced the second round of the Next Level Connections Broadband grant program, which awarded $51 million for 50 broadband infrastructure expansion projects across the state. SCI REMC was awarded two grants from the program and is utilizing one of those grants to assist in building fiber in this joint venture.

“We are grateful for opportunities that allow UDWI to serve its members in ways beyond utility service,” said UDWI CEO Doug Childs. “This partnership allows UDWI to further strengthen its internal goal of improving service and reliability for its members, and we are excited for this project to begin.”Construction is starting soon, and it is anticipated that broadband access will be available to homes and businesses in the project area in mid-to-late 2022.

About Utilities District of Western Indiana (UDWI) REMC:Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC is a non-profit organization engaged principally in the distribution and sale of electricity in Greene and parts of Clay, Daviess, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Owen, Putnam, Knox, Sullivan, and Vigo counties in Indiana. The mission for UDWI: To provide its members with electricity and quality, efficient service, while maintaining a financially healthy and rate competitive position in the industry through teamwork, mutual respect, and an ongoing commitment to our members. For more information, please visit  https://www.udwiremc.com/.

BLOOMFIELD, Ind. (July 27, 2021) — A grant from the Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC’s Community Fund in March helped Greene County Veteran Services purchase automated external defibrillators (AED) for vehicle use.

The organization was able to purchase two AEDs with the grant for vehicles that transport veterans to and from appointments to the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Indianapolis. 

“I appreciate the added ability I have now to care for the veterans during the long trips to VAMC and back. I hope to never use this equipment, but I am thrilled to have this extra protection for our veterans on each van,” said Kim Rush, a van driver for Greene County Veteran Services. “With the AEDs, I am confident that I will be able to provide immediate response should an emergency arise on our largely rural route to the hospital.”

Greene County Veteran Services is a nonprofit aimed at supporting veterans and serves veterans, veterans’ dependents, and veterans’ survivors in the county. The organization offers assistance to veterans in filing claims for VA benefits, obtaining military records, and accessing VA services.

UDWI’s Community Fund, a non-profit organization created by the cooperative, provides members an avenue to make a difference in their communities. The program works by allowing members to round up their energy bills to the next whole dollar, and UDWI then awards the amount collected to local organizations. 

Other recipients of Community Fund grants in March included: Ainsley’s Angels of America, Eastern Greene High School Baseball Booster Club, Glenburn Home, Inc., Greene County 4-H Horse & Pony Club – Ridge Riders, Linton Fraternal Order of Police, Monroe Fire Protection 
District Open Arms Family & Educational Services, Spencer Pride, Inc., and Taylor Township Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.

“Being a part of projects that further serve our community is something that UDWI takes a lot of pride in,” said Doug Childs, UDWI CEO. “We will continue to take advantage of our position to support nonprofits in our area, and we are excited to see what Greene County Veteran Services and the rest of the recipients are going to do next for our communities.”

The UDWI Community Fund is accepting applications now for its next grant cycle. All non-profit businesses in UDWI’s service area are encouraged to apply. Please visit UDWI’s website to learn more about the program and to start an application.

Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC (UDWI REMC) located in Bloomfield, Ind., is an electric utility cooperative that serves nearly 16,000 members in Clay, Daviess, Greene, Knox, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Owen, Putnam, Sullivan and Vigo Counties and maintains over 2,000 miles of line.

BLOOMFIELD, Ind. (July 22, 2021) — The Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC’s Community Fund donated over $14,000 across 13 local organizations in June, including $5,000 to Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry to support its “‘Meat’ the Need” initiative.

The funds received by Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry will be used to pay processing fees on donated livestock and deer, with the meat then donated to agencies serving food-insecure residents within the UDWI 11-county service area.According to Feeding America, nearly 900,000 Indiana residents regularly struggle with food insecurity – 274,080 of which are children.

Founded in 2011, Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry has paid to process 1.8 million pounds of food, providing over 7.5 million meals. Partnering with 85 meat processors statewide, the organization gives approximately 250,000 pounds of meat annually to an average of 500 hunger relief agencies throughout Indiana.

“The Community Fund contribution will allow us to continue and expand on our mission of hunger relief by providing 16,000 more meals through local hunger relief agencies,” said Debra Treesh, executive director of Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry. “We are so grateful for the continued support of our efforts in responding to the needs of those in the community facing hunger.”

The grant was a part of UDWI’s Community Fund, a non-profit organization created by the cooperative that provides members an avenue to make a difference in their communities. The program works by allowing members to round up their energy bills to the next whole dollar, and UDWI then awards the amount collected to local organizations. 

“Taking care of our community members and organizations is a privilege we have as a cooperative and we are grateful to our members for allowing us to continue giving back,” said UDWI Board Member John Royal. “During my time serving on the Community Fund board, it has become a priority to provide funds to the food banks and kitchens in our service territory and I am thankful for the work they do to serve our communities.”

Other recipients of Community Fund grants in June included: Clay County Historical Society, Faithful Fitness, Healthy Hearts Program, Knights of Columbus Council #1166, Linton Farmers Market, Linton Police Department – National Night Out, Open Arms Family & Educational Services, Pregnancy Choices, Scotland Festival Committee, Shakamak Guidance Department, Spencer Pride, Inc., and The Monroe County Civic Theater.

The UDWI Community Fund is accepting applications now for its next grant cycle. All non-profit businesses in UDWI’s service area are encouraged to apply. Please visit UDWI’s website to learn more about the program and to start an application.

Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC (UDWI REMC) located in Bloomfield, Ind., is an electric utility cooperative that serves nearly 16,000 members in Clay, Daviess, Greene, Knox, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Owen, Putnam, Sullivan and Vigo Counties and maintains over 2,000 miles of line.

BLOOMFIELD, Ind. (June 14, 2021) — The Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC recently completed an electrical safety demonstration for the Beech Creek Township Eastern Fire Department in Solsberry. 

The safety demonstration provided the fire department with a live line situation, which includes a small-scale representation of the equipment UDWI uses in the field. The training equips firefighters with the knowledge of how to handle downed powerlines and the series of steps to they need follow during this emergency.

“UDWI did a wonderful job with the live line demo and made sure to cover specific aspects that relate to the fire department and beyond,” said Kole Jones, captain of the Beech Creek Township Eastern Fire Department. “I think every fire department that has the opportunity to do this training should take advantage of it because not only did their team provide us with the information to be safer, but also how we can help them and make both of our jobs easier. Overall, it was one of the best trainings I have done.”

The event was conducted by UDWI team members John Sutton (Supervisor of Engineering Services), Britt Miller (Lead Member Service Representative), Curtis Hasler (Apprentice Lineman), Michael Nail (Journeyman Lineman) and Cole Riggleman (Field Technician).

“We are able to simulate outages, operate devices, and demonstrate electrical arcing during these training sessions,” said Sutton. “We appreciate the opportunity to assist first responders in staying safe.”

Education, Training, and Information is one of the 7 Cooperative Principles and a top priority for the UDWI team. The co-op has had great success keeping employees and members safe through the completion of various training and educational programs.

Over the last few years, UDWI has provided public safety training and education to law enforcement, firefighters, EMC personnel, and dispatchers in and around its service territory. In 2018, UDWI developed its own training yard to host training for its own team and other co-ops in the area.

 The UDWI team completed over 20 safety training classes, totaling nearly 800 hours in 2020. 

“Being able to meet with our community organizations and help further member education and safety is a great resource that UDWI is able to provide to the community,” said UDWI CEO Doug Childs. “I am extremely proud of our team for continuing to promote member safety and public outreach, and I am looking forward to more opportunities like this in the future.”

If your organization is interested in receiving a safety demonstration from UDWI, please contact the office at (812) 384-4446 to schedule a training.

Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC (UDWI REMC) located in Bloomfield, Ind., is an electric utility cooperative that serves nearly 16,000 members in Clay, Daviess, Greene, Knox, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Owen, Putnam, Sullivan and Vigo Counties and maintains over 2,000 miles of line.

BLOOMFIELD, Ind. (April 21, 2021) — The Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC held its 85th annual meeting Tuesday at the cooperative’s headquarters and voted in a new slate of officers for its Board of Directors.

Re-elected this year are the three incumbent directors from Districts 5, 7 and 8. The current eight-member board will continue to serve as Directors for 2021-22, which includes David Burger (President), Edward Cullison (Vice President), Michael Williams (Treasurer), Sophie Haywood (Secretary), Todd Carpenter, John Royal, Dax Collins and Shawn Dugan.

David Burger, who has served on the Board of Directors since 2017, said, “I am proud to serve as the president for the board this year. We have a board of dedicated people and I look forward to continuing on the good work being done in infrastructure and new technology that will benefit our members.”

Although this year’s seats were uncontested, the cooperative bylaws require candidates to receive a mandated number of votes from the membership in order to validate the election. UDWI members had the opportunity to cast their votes online or by mail before the annual meeting or in person at the annual meeting, which again produced strong voter participation with more than 1,500 votes cast, accounting for over 10 percent of UDWI members.

“Even in an uncontested election year, our members have shown that they really care about the leadership of the co-op, which speaks volumes to the cooperative principle that calls for democratic member control,” said UDWI CEO Doug Childs. “While we hope that we can convene in larger numbers in the future, we will continue to provide the online and mail-in options to give the most voting access to our members.”

Child’s annual meeting presentation focused on the 7 Cooperative Principles, which aim to serve the electric energy needs of cooperative members. He also highlighted achievements accomplished throughout 2020 by the co-op that adhere to the principles, which include:

1. Open and Voluntary Membership
2. Democratic Member Control
3. Members’ Economic Participation
4. Autonomy and Independence
5. Education, Training and Information
6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives
7. Concern for Community

A top priority in 2020 was the investment in renewing UDWI’s system and improving system reliability. UDWI invested over $4 million and replaced 34 miles of line last year – an all-time record for the co-op. UDWI has also contributed $800,000 to smart-grid technology over the last three years and has retired nearly $2 million in capital credits back to its members over the last eight years as part of this initiative.   

In regard to membership, Childs reported that UDWI has seen its membership grow from 18,900 meters in 2017 to 19,200 meters in 2021. And because of the hundreds of members who participate in Operation Round-Up, the UDWI Community Fund donated over $40,000 to local community organizations in 2020.

Childs also shared UDWI’s commitment to its community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the co-op paused its moratorium on disconnects longer than the state-mandated time period and worked closely with members to offer more member-friendly payment terms to assist during the worst phase of the pandemic.

“We are proud of what we were able to accomplish during the past year despite some of the most challenging conditions that no one could have prepared for,” said Childs. “Big thank you to the entire UDWI team; everyone from the customer service representatives in the front office to our linemen in the field had to make adjustments and found a way to get their jobs done and showed amazing dedication to our members.”

Childs’ presentation is available on the UDWI website. The Board of Directors will hold its first meeting of the new term virtually on Monday, April 26 at 6:30 p.m.

Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC (UDWI REMC) located in Bloomfield, Ind., is an electric utility cooperative that serves nearly 16,000 members in Clay, Daviess, Greene, Knox, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Owen, Putnam, Sullivan and Vigo Counties and maintains over 2,000 miles of line.

BLOOMFIELD, Ind. (March 11, 2021) — The Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC is working to improve the efficiency of its service territory to lower its energy demand and increase reliability for its members.

The co-op partnered with Varentec, a leading provider of hardware and software control solutions for municipal utilities, cooperatives, and investor-owned utilities. The collaboration was centered around the Varentec Pilot Project, which utilized voltage control automation to reduce peak demand charges. 

Demand is based on the highest points of member consumption, and electric utilities need to have enough generation and transmission assets to deliver power during these peak times. To support this project in hopes of reducing charges related to peak demand and maintaining the associated assets, UDWI provided Varentec with data from meters in its service territory that allowed the company an opportunity to see data in real-time. 

“UDWI was instrumental in Varentec’s process to get a granular look at data that’s typically only seen at the substation level,” said UDWI Chief Operating Officer Shane Smith. “This was a great opportunity for our operations department to learn first-hand about this technology and we are proud of our contribution to this project.”

UDWI began working with Varentec in 2016 and ran its pilot test through the fall of 2017. Currently, Varentec is in the process of seeking a patent for a newly-generated algorithm that would help estimate the potential impact of this technique on other systems. The algorithm was developed as a result of the data collected through the partnership and the economic success of the project. It’s anticipated that other utilities will also take advantage of this new technology. 

The goal of the project was to learn how manipulation of the voltage on the line can reduce the overall demand. This will allow lower costs for UDWI from its power supplier, meaning that the co-op can purchase the same number of kilowatt-hours for a lower production cost. Once it was clear that the technology was working effectively, it was adopted quickly and is currently operating in 34 percent of the co-op’s service territory, with plans to expand to other areas when the patent is approved. 

“I am very proud of our operations team for taking a leadership role in this technology and for their successful efforts in reducing our demand charges,” said UDWI CEO Doug Childs. “Kudos to our entire operations department for their leadership on this project.”

Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC (UDWI REMC) located in Bloomfield, Ind., is an electric utility cooperative that serves nearly 16,000 members in Clay, Daviess, Greene, Knox, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Owen, Putnam, Sullivan and Vigo Counties and maintains over 2,000 miles of line.

BLOOMFIELD, Ind. (March 9, 2021) — The Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC was one of eight Indiana electric cooperatives to send crews and equipment to assist with the power restoration effort in Virginia after ice storms moved through the state in late February.

Indiana electric cooperative sent a total of 26 lineworkers to work alongside Southside Electric Cooperative in Crewe, Virginia, to assist in the power recovery effort after nearly half of the electric distribution cooperative’s consumers were left without electricity. In addition to UDWI, crews responded from: Clark County REMC (Sellersburg), Harrison REMC (Corydon), Henry County REMC (New Castle), JCREMC (Franklin), Steuben County REMC (Angola), Tipmont REMC (Linden), Whitewater Valley REMC (Liberty).

“We are grateful to be in a position that allows us to lend our linemen to a cooperative in need. It is important to have people to rely on during a crisis, and this is a great example of how cooperatives can come together in a time of need,” said UDWI CEO Doug Childs. “Thank you to our linemen who volunteered to make this journey and help out the cooperative in need. We are proud to have you represent our team.”

The Indiana Electric Cooperative Mutual Aid Program provides cooperative assistance in service restoration from storms or other events that result in significant power outages.

Evan Fuller (Apprentice Lineman), Ross Egenolf (Journeyman Lineman), Jordan Clark (Journeyman Lineman), and Michael Nail (Journeyman Lineman) represented UDWI by helping restore power to the more than 20,000 Southside Electric Cooperative members who were experiencing an outage. Winter storm Tabitha was quoted as the worst storm this region has seen in over 36 years, producing a mixture of snow and ice that caused a number of dangerous conditions including frozen lines, fallen trees and road hazards. 

“Southside Electric Cooperative’s system is very similar to UDWI’s, and it was unreal to see the amount of damage that occurred. It was like nothing I had seen before,” said Egenolf. “I know our team worked hard and was able to make an impact on the restoration efforts. Moments like this are why we volunteer.” Regardless of the circumstance, it is important to remember safety around downed power lines. Always assume a downed power line is still energized. If you see a downed line, stay away and contact your electric utility. Additionally, stay away from limbs or trees in contact with downed lines because they can be conductors of electricity.

Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC (UDWI REMC) located in Bloomfield, Ind., is an electric utility cooperative that serves nearly 16,000 members in Clay, Daviess, Greene, Knox, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Owen, Putnam, Sullivan and Vigo Counties and maintains over 2,000 miles of line.

BLOOMFIELD, Ind. (Feb. 5, 2021) — The Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC will continue its focus on infrastructure improvement in 2021. These improvements are designed to improve system reliability and efficiency. The co-op remains committed to working through the challenges of operating safely during a pandemic while prioritizing member service. 

Construction has begun on five miles of line replacement while working diligently to keep line crews safe by following CDC guidelines. The work on two additional miles of line will begin soon, with the co-op expecting to complete 15 additional miles of new line throughout the remainder of 2021.

This year, UDWI members can also expect to see a small decrease in their rates. The rate decrease is due to a slight drop in power supply costs from Hoosier Energy. 

This is good news for members, as a household with an average use of 1,000 kWh per month would see their bill drop by $4.86 (3.3 percent) per month and an annual savings of about $58 per year.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer a rate decrease to our members, especially during the current pandemic,” said UDWI CEO Doug Childs. “This is the second rate decrease UDWI has achieved since 2018 which is a great accomplishment that was made possible by the hard work of the dedicated UDWI team.”  

Major maintenance and construction activity taking place will focus on the most-aged lines that often contribute to outages. The co-op has more than 2,000 miles of line with approximately 50 percent that are in need of repair or replacement. Construction plans are focused on the 1,042 miles of copper lines that are over 60 years old in some areas of the service territory. 

UDWI’s 2021 improvement plans also include new service-related construction activities. The cooperative’s average new service activity is up 11 percent over a seven-year average and is on pace to continue to grow in 2021. New service in the UDWI territory helps spread the cost of energy among more members and shows signs of a strengthening economy in the service area.

“Capital improvements continue to stay a top priority for UDWI as we continue to work toward improving service reliability for our members,” said Childs. “UDWI is addressing these challenges and working to stay on top of our system’s infrastructure maintenance.”

In addition to line upgrades, UDWI will continue to focus on pole replacements. UDWI regularly checks poles for decay and damage caused by exposure to the elements.

The 2021 UDWI capital improvement budget also allows for installing additional smart grid technology designed to reduce the frequency and duration of service outages. Smart Grid is a term for technologies installed to increase system visibility, improve efficiency, or improve reliability. “Once development of the new smart grid technology is ready, we will complete a few installations that we’ve had pending and then begin creating a new automatic restoration area,” said UDWI Director of Operations Shane Smith. “This system will work to restore power to an area from a backup feed if the primary feed fails, which will help our members during outages.”

Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC (UDWI REMC) located in Bloomfield, Ind., is an electric utility cooperative that serves nearly 16,000 members in Clay, Daviess, Greene, Knox, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Owen, Putnam, Sullivan and Vigo Counties and maintains over 2,000 miles of line.

ELLETTSVILLE and BLOOMFIELD (Indiana) – Construction began January 27 for the first joint fiber project under a partnership with Smithville, Indiana’s largest privately-held telecom, and the Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC (UDWI), according to Darby A. McCarty, Chairman and CEO of Smithville, and Doug Childs, UDWI CEO. Plans call for 280 homes in the joint Smithville/UDWI service area east of Stanford to receive access to Smithville high-speed fiber service, which is nationally recognized.

The first phase begins a construction process that will eventually include about 800 homes in the rural area east of Stanford in Monroe County. The entire project is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.

Additional areas of the project are expected to start construction later in 2021. Smithville is funding construction through private investments made by the company, which will include use of UDWI aerial and other assets. No rate increases will be required to fund this project by either Smithville or UDWI. .

“Given Smithville’s current customer base in shared areas served by UDWI in Greene and Monroe counties, this partnership is expected to benefit communities and customers served by both organizations,” said Ms. McCarty. “We expect that this partnership will help accelerate fiber access without raising costs to our mutual base of customers.”

Childs noted, “We’re excited about this first project, as it uses an innovative approach to positively leverage the  current and future assets of both organizations while offering additional benefits to our members in shared areas.”

“Even as this first joint project proceeds, UDWI will continue its set plans to improve service reliability through both capital improvements and increased vegetation management without interruption,” said Childs.  “It’s a win-win for all.”

Smithville’s engineering teams have completed plans for the initial Monroe County project area, which will include using some aerial infrastructure assets owned by UDWI. Joint planning for the remainder of the project is now underway. The planning process will continue within the two-year timeframe as new construction areas are added within the first Monroe County project.

“We expect that this initial project will allow us to expand our partnership as we consider additional projects,” said Cullen McCarty, executive vice president of Smithville. Future joint projects will be identified based on Smithville’s planned fiber expansion areas and aligned with UDWI’s capital improvement plan, he added.

Smithville and UDWI already both provide service in areas near the $100 million WestGate@Crane Technology Park and other portions of south-central Indiana, where additional joint projects may also materialize. However, the companies will complete their first joint project before actively pursuing additional opportunities, McCarty explained.“This joint project gives both companies the opportunity to reach customers more quickly with high-speed fiber service that otherwise might be delayed,” said Smithville President Paul Quick. “The past year has fully demonstrated the need for high-speed and high-capacity connectivity and innovative cooperation will help bring a welcome solution to hard-to-reach rural areas.”

ABOUT SMITHVILLE: Nationally recognized for more than a decade as a Top 100 Broadband Company, privately owned Smithville is Indiana’s largest independent telecom company with more than 200 employees. As a fifth-generation family-owned business, Smithville has been committed to delivering fast and reliable connectivity and legendary service to its customers for nearly a century. The company is well-known as an industry leader and community supporter for rural Indiana.

Since the early 1990s, Smithville has constructed more than 2,800 miles of high-speed, high-capacity fiber across more than 17 Indiana counties, representing private investments totaling upward of a quarter of a billion dollars, including the recent completion of a $4.5 million, 100-gigabit fiber ring.

In addition to its residential services, Smithville provides commercial fiber-based connectivity for businesses, university campuses, biotechnology companies, healthcare providers, government offices, residential centers, communities, and other entities, including the WestGate@Crane Technology Park and the Purdue Research Park. The company currently serves about 23,000 businesses and residences in southern and central Indiana. For more information, please visit www.smithville.com.

ABOUT UTILITIES DISTRICT OF WESTERN INDIANA (UDWI) REMC: Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC is a non-profit organization engaged principally in the distribution and sale of electricity in Greene and parts of Clay, Daviess, Know, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Owen, Putnam, Sullivan and Vigo Counties in Indiana. The mission of UDWI: To provide its members with electricity and quality, efficient service, while maintaining a financially healthy and rate-competitive position in the industry through teamwork, mutual respect, and an ongoing commitment to its members. For more information, please visit www.udwiremc.com.

BLOOMFIELD, Ind. (Dec. 22, 2020) — The Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC had a productive and record-setting 2020, despite the challenges of operating through the pandemic. The utility company exceeded its goals for infrastructure improvements and will continue its focus to repair and replace lines and while working to sustain power costs for 2021.

The co-op was able to repair and/or replace 35 miles of aging line in 2020, which is crucial to increasing reliability and is an achievement that was reached while keeping linemen socially distanced and safe during COVID-19. The line replaced this year is a record for UDWI and is more than the co-op replaced in 2013 through 2016 combined. Moving forward UDWI has a goal to replace up to 30 miles of line and repair many old poles in 2021.

In early December, UDWI and Smithville, Indiana’s largest privately-held telecom, announced a unique limited partnership that is expected to accelerate high-speed fiber construction in a cost-effective manner. The partnership is expected to mutually benefit customers and communities in their overlapping service areas. 

The first project will bring high-speed fiber-optic connectivity to more than 800 homes in the rural area east of Stanford in Monroe County. The two-year project will begin its initial phase in early 2021 and focus on building residential fiber connectivity to about 280 homes. Additional areas of the project are expected to start construction later in 2021, providing access to 800 homes in the project area. 

“This strategic partnership allows UDWI to continue our present focus on both capital improvements and increased vegetation management to improve service reliability for our members,” said UDWI Board Secretary Sophie Haywood. “We look forward to getting this first project underway.” 

UDWI CEO Doug Childs presented the 2021 budget to the board of directors at the November meeting, where it was approved. The budget focuses on a set of goals for the new year: capital credits, infrastructure improvements, and investments.

Highlights of the budget include planned capital credits distribution of $662,000, and a capital improvement budget totaling $6.05 million dollars with $2 million allocated to replace aging wire and make other system improvements. A significant announcement is that the budget requires no planned rate increases for UDWI members for 2021.

“We have not seen a significant decrease in power usage due to COVID-19 so we plan to keep working on infrastructure improvements and capital credits distribution,” said Childs. “Our employees have been incredible this year under very difficult circumstances, and we have been successful due to their hard work and commitment to the members.”

Also at the November board meeting, Brian Stavish with the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC) presented the board of directors with an update on the utility industry. Across the country, residential homeowners are using less power, as the popularity of energy-efficient products continues to grow. UDWI is seeing some of the same trends among its members, but the co-op is still in good financial standing because of budget cuts in other areas. The presentation also showed UDWI’s growth in capital credit distribution over the last five years, which has doubled.

On average, utility rates have stabilized or risen for most areas of the country, however, UDWI has been able to actually decrease its rates for its members, in recent years. UDWI has spent the last three years dramatically cutting costs across all areas of the co-op, from decreasing staff and improving operational efficiencies to switching insurance providers and providing onsite training for linemen. 

While these efforts have made an impact, the cost of purchasing power has continued to rise and is the most significant cost to members. UDWI is committed to advocating for lower power costs and strategies to supply more cost-effective choices for its members in 2021. 

“UDWI is doing a great job financially running the co-op and we are seeing great things in terms of comparisons to other utilities,” said Stavish. “Rates going down is not something you often see, so congratulations on making that happen.” 

In other news, Districts 5, 7, and 8 are up for election in 2021. Candidates that are interested in running for UDWI’s Board of Directors must pick up a candidate packet from the main office and turn it in completed on or before Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. More information was included in November’s newsletter and can be found on UDWI’s Facebook page.The next UDWI Board Meeting will be held virtually Monday, Dec. 28 at 6:30 p.m. Contact the UDWI office if you wish to attend the meeting.

Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC (UDWI REMC), located in Bloomfield, Ind., is an electric utility cooperative that serves nearly 16,000 members in Clay, Daviess, Greene, Knox, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Owen, Putnam, Sullivan and Vigo Counties and maintains over 2,000 miles of line.